Publication: S. African J. Bot. 56(3): 297 (1990).
Description
Pelargonium praemorsum ssp speciosum is a beautiful winter growing species with with large, striking flowers up to 5–6 cm. It is a semi-succulent, much-branched, small shrub with fibrous or slightly tuberous roots, sometime sold as a caudiciform (but really it has not a well-developed caudex). It is ideal for bonsai training and usually in cultivation it stays under 30 cm tall, but can reach 50-70 cm in habitat.
Stems: Ditinctly jointed.
Leaves: On short petioles, small (about 1.5 cm), rounded or somewhat reniform, simple palmately divided, usually with notched edges indicating the five leaf lobes. The foliage scent is spicy, pleasant but not strong. Typically in cultivation keeps some foliage over summer.
Flowers: Extremely zygomorphic (Having a single symmetry plane) quite large (4-5 cm). The two (or three) lower petals of each flower are very reduced in size, bright pink-violet, giving a great importance to the two upper petals that are fairly large (c. 38 mm long) white and stripped in dark purple. Fertile stamens 7.
Origin and Habitat
Pelargonium praemorsum subsp speciosum has a very limited distribution north of the Richtersveld (Northern Cape, Republic of South Africa) near Khubus.
Habitat and ecology. In this area they grow in winter. Summer is a resting period after the winter rains. This is the same area where Boophone haemanthoides and Othonna herrei grows.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pelargonium praemorsum subsp speciosum with compact habit and showy flowers, is a good pot or rockery subject. This pelargonium seems very delicate. It has twiggy stems, no tuber or tuberous roots.
Soil: It does best with a mix that has almost no organic material at all. Perlite can be substituted for pumice, but it tends to rise to the surface of the mixture.
Waterings: Water in autumn, then in spring, at a minimum temperature of +14° C. Keep completely dry in summer and winter, at a minimum temperature of +8° C. Pelargonium alternans is a drought-resistant plant and do not need much water and will quickly respond to a small amount of water. Best in a small container.
Exposure: Requires bright light.
Hardiness: Needs cool nights in winter (5-15° C), followed by a mostly dry summer rest.
Manteinance: Needs minimal pruning to remain compact and full.
Propagation: Cuttings Take a stem cutting just below a node and remove the leaves from the bottom one or two nodes; roots will only develop from the region of a node; harden off the plants before transplanting them outdoors.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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A.G.Schelterma and J.J.A. van der Walt, Department of Botany, University of Stellenbosch, “Taxonomic Revision of Pelargonium section Jenkinsonia (Geraniaceae) in Southern Africa”, Afr.J. Bot., 1990, 56(3):285-302
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Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F.Dietr. subsp. speciosum Scheltema. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2016/12/27